as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mind
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
a novel that explores the psyche of a depressed teen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of psych (up)
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Moorhead head coach Jon Ammerman said his team displayed incredible character and that doubt never seeped into the psyche of any of the Spuds’ players.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The yogurt shop murders, a mass shooting, rape and arson that left Eliza Thomas, 17; Jennifer Harbison, 17; Sarah Harbison, 15; and Amy Ayers, 13, dead, burned a scar on Austin’s psyche.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
This family still looms large in the American psyche, not just because one member is currently involved in decisions that a lot of us don’t agree with.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Noun
Huge oil-price gyrations are usually not good for the economic psyches of consumers and corporate chiefs.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Moorhead head coach Jon Ammerman said his team displayed incredible character and that doubt never seeped into the psyche of any of the Spuds’ players.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The yogurt shop murders, a mass shooting, rape and arson that left Eliza Thomas, 17; Jennifer Harbison, 17; Sarah Harbison, 15; and Amy Ayers, 13, dead, burned a scar on Austin’s psyche.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
This family still looms large in the American psyche, not just because one member is currently involved in decisions that a lot of us don’t agree with.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
-
American Jews have been bracing themselves for further violence since the war in Iran started.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the $110 billion sale of WBD to Paramount that Zaslav has orchestrated hung over the festivities, as the industry braces for the thousands of layoffs that will result from the consolidation.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many ancient cultures believed reflections held pieces of a person’s soul.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In a floating fortress of 2,000 souls, suspicion spreads and a murder investigation turns into a global security crisis.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Take a walk without your phone, letting your ideas flow through your mind naturally.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Photograph by Victor Llorente for The New Yorker The experimental singer-producer FKA twigs, for most of her career, has made cerebral electronic music intent on synchronizing the mind and body.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soon came news of the return of star tight end Travis Kelce, a vital presence whose encore season on the surface doesn’t signify change but figures to be in a modified role as the Chiefs should be compelled to fortify what faded into an erratic wide receiver corps.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Our natural defenses such as mangroves and dunes must be fortified — not destroyed.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let wonder guide choices that feed your spirit.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Scheffler was thoroughly amused and looked to be in good spirits heading into Sunday.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The team is developing a neuroadaptive control system that allows robots to pick up on signals from the human brain and adjust their actions instantly.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Yet Grace is the one who wakes up in space, and this story emerges nonlinearly, narrative flashbacks like bursts of memory ripping through his brain, discombobulated after a long intergalactic coma.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mohammed al-Basha, a Middle East politics-and-security expert, told me that the Houthis have been readying themselves for action.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
At press time, the company is readying its forthcoming stage adaptation of Imitation of Life, set for a Shed premiere with music and lyrics by Legend.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The series of attacks comes after Israel killed Larijani, the head of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the leader of a powerful militia aligned with the IRGC, in deadly airstrikes on Tuesday.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
